Immigrant tuition hits farthest point in Colo.

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DENVER (AP) - Illegal immigrants are closer to receiving in-state tuition with a bill that's made it to the farthest point in the Colorado Legislature since it was first introduced 10 years ago.

Democrats argued the bill is an economic driver and that students who grew up in Colorado deserve the lower in-state tuition rate, regardless of immigration status.

The Democratic-controlled House gave initial approval to the bill Tuesday with a preliminary voice vote. The bill is expected to pass and head to the governor's desk, possible as soon as this week.

Similar bills have cleared the Senate in recent years, but stalled in the House. A handful of Republicans support the bill, but others say proposal violates a state law that forbids non-emergency benefits from going to illegal immigrants.